That's a pretty facetious and disingenuous post there, Mr. Moderator.
It's neither, really. I've seen plenty of posts from High Point fans talking about how their guns are just as good, or better than, firearms made from reputable manufacturers.
It's not about telling the difference. Any idiot can tell the difference. It's about what gun can you use to protect your family if you don't have the money for a Glock or an M&P.
The average price of a defensive handgun is not outside of the financial grasp of even most people who are in the lower income brackets. Glocks, XDs, and many other models can be had on the secondary market, often times for less than $400. If you have to spend less than that, Makarovs, TT-33s, and S&W or Ruger revolvers can be had for under $300.
Even when I was making just a bit over minimum wage, I was able to squirrel away enough money to buy a CZ-75 Compact. Yes, it took longer to save up for it, but I recognized that it would be better to buy a firearm of reasonable quality than something made from pot metal.
The first rule of a gunfight is "Bring a gun."
cliche.
If the choice is HiPoint or nothing, HiPoint wins.
Except that the choice isn't "Hi-Point or nothing." Even on an extremely limited budget, there's a plethora of choices available. They may require you to do some leg work by checking to see what's on the used gun shelf at the local store, or ordering the gun from a place like
Summit Gun Broker, but the upshot is that you end up with a better defensive sidearm.
Back in the bad old days when they were called "Stallard Arms" their pistols had often questionable durability.
Evidently they still do, judging by the many people who rave about the customer service they receive after sending the firearm back to get it fixed.
High Point Firearms re-invented the company and made pistols that work. Then they made carbines that work.
They make cheap firearms out of inferior materials that utilize an operating system that is incredibly sub-optimal for handling the pressures generated by rounds like 9mm, .40 S&W, or .45 ACP.
It's no surprise that the guns actually function with hardball ammo. A straight blowback system handling those cartridges generates rather excessive amounts of pressure.
The ergonomics suck, and they won't win a beauty contest, and they are large, bulky, relatively low-capacity for their size, but they shoot, and shoot well. I can't think of a better tacklebox or under-the-truck-seat gun for about $100.
If the main selling point for your tackle box or truck gun is "If it gets lost or so corroded I can no longer use it, it's no big deal because I'm only out $140" then yes, you have a point.
They are made in Ohio from American-made parts by American craftsmen and their warranty is 100% lifetime no questions asked. And they usually include a free magazine or two whenever they work on your firearm and return it.
And that's fine, I suppose.
